Shantrell Jones, 36, spent most of Tuesday under sedation. Like other relatives, she was struggling to come to grips with her son's death. "He didn't deserve this," Calloway, 42, said. "They took away somebody's son. They took away somebody's grandchild. They took away my nephew."

Jones is also survived by his father, Kurt Frilioux, his grandmother, Sheila Jones, his grandfather, Donnie Fazande, two brothers, two sisters and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins. Although he lived in Harvey, Jones grew up in New Orleans' 9th Ward, said Nataezhia Marshall, his girlfriend.

He attended L.B. Landry High School in Algiers, though he did not finish. His aunts remembered him as a quiet boy who grew into a kind-hearted young man. "He was very helpful," Calloway said.

Relatives said Jones hadn't had any trouble with anyone, and they didn't know who would have wanted him dead. Marshall said someone, she didn't know who, called Jones on Monday night and lured him outside to the nearby apartment breezeway. Relatives said they have heard at least two men participated in the shooting.

"Whoever did this messed up their family, too, because they're gonna hurt when they get caught. And they will get caught," Calloway said through tears. "Somebody have mercy on their souls because they didn't have any mercy on his."

Anyone with information about the murder of Bryan Jones in Harvey is asked to call the Sheriff's Office investigations bureau at 504.364.5300. The public can also call Crimestoppers at 504.822.1111 or toll-free at 877.903.7867. Tips can be texted to C-R-I-M-E-S (274637); text TELLCS then the crime information. Callers or texters do not have to give their names or testify and can earn a $2,500 reward for information that leads to an indictment.